"Many schools have raised their prices," said East Stroudsburg High School South musical director Susan Jordan. "We really tried to keep the student prices down, in hopes that we'd have more young people show up.

Unfortunately, (all the schools have) had to raise prices through the years, because our costs have gone up " ... royalties, costume rentals, etc."

Called the "greatest musical of the 20th century" by Time magazine, "Carousel'" was also Rodgers and Hammerstein's favorite of all the shows they wrote, said East Stroudsburg High School South musical director Susan Jordan.

"We had been doing more contemporary shows the past few years," she said. "I think it's important to periodically give the students the opportunity to learn a classical music piece. It's a different style from 'Pippin,' 'The Secret Garden,' 'Les Miz' and 'Joseph' (South's productions over the last four years)."

It's also been two years since the South High School did a show with any spoken dialogue.

"It was important to give the students the opportunity to learn what's necessary in learning, memorizing and delivering lines. For example, Rodney was a freshmen for 'Secret Garden.' What this gives him, and the other students, the opportunity to do is understand the creation of the role. Whatever he does with the character has to be done with the spoken word and with the singing. The music came easily to the students; they found they had to spend more time than maybe they expected on memorizing lines."

Recent productions also used a unit set, whereas "Carousel" has nine scene changes.

"That's been a real challenge to the stage manager and crew, because you don't want the audience waiting. The tech and stage crews at South are phenomenal. Mike Silvoy's crew, they understand working hard and getting things done quickly. They are great kids, such an integral part of the show. Tech people always are, but I think with a show like this, you really appreciate them. We built our own carousel. There is also a gunshot in the show with a gunshot sound effect that has to be timed right."

Jordan, who has directed some 80 productions for both the community and high schools since 1984, also likes 'Carousel' because it showcases many of the South High School's highly talented student performers, including many strong vocalists in the ensemble. There are a number of cameo roles, including those performed by stage manager SIlvoy and principal Michael Catrillo.

"There is also much more classical dancing in this show. The students really have stepped up and have done a wonderful role. Jessica Galucci (principal dancer, as Louise) is a beautiful dancer. To watch Jessica create the role, most of which is a ballet in the second act, tells Louise's story and who she is. She uses her body to create a character through dance and, there again, is something very different from the kinds of things the kids have done.

"The guys have a hornpipe they have to do (a sailors' song and dance). And we have another very fine dancer featured in Valerie Jimenez. But the boy who dances with her, Reggie James, has not had dance training, and he does an amazing job. It involves a lot of quickstep."

The show will be accompanied by a 16-piece pit orchestra.

"I was talking with Katye Clogg (band director) who noted that this music is really more difficult for the instrumentalists. They have to work harder. It's a change in style and for everyone concerned, I think it's been a really good learning experence to perform a classic show that I think the audience will really enjoy."